A COUNCIL leader at the centre of corruption allegations has been cleared after a police investigation.

Jim Logue, the Labour leader of North Lanarkshire Council, hit out at the “farce” that he claims wasted both council and police time.

He said it was no surprise there was “no substance to the spurious allegations” made against him as it was “a failed smear attempt”.

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News of the probe emerged last month, with Police Scotland said to be investigating Logue’s links to two private companies. However, the force said yesterday that the inves- tigation had been concluded “and no criminality has been established”.

North Lanarkshire Council said its leader had been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Logue said: “It is no surprise that Police Scotland has found no substance to the spurious allegations made against me. This whole episode has been a waste of time for the police and for the council.

“In my view, the police should consider the extent to which their valuable time and resources have been wasted by the people behind this farce.

“I have been a councillor for 40 years, and 30 years ago I put my political prospects on the line to expose wrongdoing by members of my own party in Monklands District Council.

“Last year I ensured there was a proper investigation into allegations of corruption into procurement based on anonymous but credible allegations, something other pol-iticians would have been extremely cautious about doing.

“Anyone who knows me and the way I go about my business knows I would never be involved in fraud or corruption of any kind.

“This whole episode has been a failed smear attempt. But the people who are complicit in that smear attempt should know this: I will never be diverted from my role in leading a forward-thinking council which achieves, and will continue to achieve, great things for the communities of North Lanarkshire.”

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